A wearable sensing device for monitoring single planes neck movements: Assessment of its performance

The evaluation of cervical spine mobility and the measurement of cervical range of motion are important methods used in clinical settings for diagnosis and prognosis of patients with cervical spine disorders but also to quantify manipulation effects. Therefore, the primary objective of this paper was the development of a 'wear and forget' device able to monitor head posture. This paper consists of three parts: 1) identification and characterization of the piezoresistive textile employed both in static and dynamic conditions; 2) development of the sensor design; and 3) validation study concerning the investigation of sensor performances using Vicon measurements, as the reference standard. The proposed smart textile allowed the development of a light, comfortable, and non-invasive wearable system. The sensor accuracy and repeatability in measuring cervical range of motion in each primary plane (lateral bending, axial rotation, and flexion/extension) for five healthy subjects were evaluated. The results show a good accuracy and satisfactory repeatability with maximum standard deviation value close to 10°. We demonstrated the effectiveness of the wearable system as a valid, accurate, and suitable device for evaluating single plane neck movements.